Director, Global Program Team Leader Cell Therapy

Director, Global Program Team Leader Cell Therapy

Reporting to the Executive Director of Cell Therapy, the Director GPTL is responsible for providing strategic direction and leading the global drug development with one Cell Therapy asset that have multiple indications in development.

As the accountable program(s) owner, the GPTL, leads and chairs the Global Project Team (GPT), which determines the overall strategy for the asset across indications. The GPTL is responsible for creating an integrated development plan for each indication and overseeing the program. 

The GPTL is the “one voice” for the GPT up the line (R&D Leadership, Development Steering Committee and Executive Steering Committee). The GPTL role is one of leadership, being proactive and interactive, and emphasizing partnership with all GPT members, Subteams (both within Alexion and centralized cell therapy subteams across AstraZeneca), functional heads and consultants both within and outside R&D. The GPTL should stimulate creative and productive discussion, motivate, ownership and urgency (when necessary) as well as robust discussions of risk identification and mitigation opportunities, and ensure clarity of purpose and responsibilities with the GPT. The GPTL has the negotiation and persuasion skills necessary to ensure the program's success and sets specific program-related goals for the Core Team members, all in alignment with Cell Therapy Rare therapeutic and cross-business unit AstraZeneca strategy. 

Additionally, in Cell Therapy the Alexion GPTL will lead alignment and communication of their program with other cell therapy GPTLs across AstraZeneca business units.  

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution 

• Program ownership with final accountability for precise definitions of program goals, plans, decisions and deliverables to meet those goals

• Own the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, risk mitigation strategies, and investment priorities and including indication sequencing with the overall integrated regulatory, commercial, clinical and CMC strategy to support all the indications under development.

• Translate program vision into operational and financial plans, ensuring alignment with Alexion’s rare disease strategy.

• Identify and resolve strategic and operational risks and dependencies, leveraging decision-quality frameworks.

• Drive scenario planning, indication prioritization, and lifecycle management strategies to maximize asset value.

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Program Leadership

• Lead a cross-functional Global Program Team (GPT), ensuring strategic alignment across functional area leads (e.g., clinical, regulatory, CMC, commercial, medical, market access).

• Act as the CEO of the program, driving overall strategy from preclinical development through commercialization.

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Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner closely with senior executives across Alexion and AstraZeneca, including R&D, Commercial, Regulatory, Technical Operations, and Business Development.

• Represent the program at governance boards (e.g., Development Review Committee, Portfolio Investment Board), securing endorsements for strategic decisions.

• Serve as the primary program ambassador internally and externally, including with investigators, advocacy groups, and partners.

Matrix Team Leadership

• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture that embraces Alexion’s mission and values.

• Provide clear direction, accountability, and support to functional area leaders within the GPT.

• Mentor and develop talent across the matrix team and contribute to building program leadership capabilities across the organization.

External Innovation and Alliances

• Collaborate with Business Development and external partners to evaluate and integrate innovative technologies, platforms, or pipeline opportunities.

• Actively participate in due diligence and alliance management activities, particularly related to advanced Cell Therapies.

• Ensure cross-Business Unit GPT alignment and communication

You will need to have

• Cell Therapy development experience with a preference for an advanced life-science degree (MD, PhD or PharmD)

• Total leadership experience including line/project management, multidisciplinary program management experience, which includes leadership in more than one IND/IMPS, BLA/NDA/MAA, Advisory Committee or other PMDA/EMA/FDA meetings.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in drug development in pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, or biotechnology.

• Demonstrated experience leading the development of at least one development candidate with adherence to quality, excellence and efficiency.

• Demonstrated experience leading drug development projects and activities in a matrixed, global organization.

• A broad understanding of how to communicate and work well with team members and relevant people as well as scientists and external decision-makers worldwide.

• A thorough understanding of how to influence local and global regulatory, scientific and commercial environments.

• Ability to assimilate data, recognize key variables and analyze complex situations to substantiate strategic recommendations.

• Has a realistic expectation of the business, oneself and others.

• A style which builds alliance within the organization, locally/globally, and/or corporate collaborators.

• Does not confuse effort for results.

• Tenacity to weather short-term setbacks for long-term advantages.

• Broad understanding of the multidisciplinary functions contributing to effective and efficient drug development.

• Excellent understanding of the interdependencies of the various disciplines (e.g., CMC, Pharm/Tox, PK, Clinical, Regulatory, Marketing, Finance) – what needs to be evaluated simultaneously vs. sequentially etc. from a strategic planning/risk management time/event/cost point locally and globally.

• Has a firm understanding of how to educate/advise/operate with respect to Regulatory Guidances/Internal SOPs/Project best-practice behaviors.

At Alexion, you will find a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and a diverse environment where your contributions are valued. You will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of rare disease research and make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.

Ready to lead and inspire?

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.